Recent shots from surrounding area.

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Per a previous “encouragement” by my photography mentor – Wyman Meinzer – to see the beauty where I am, I have been trying to shoot several times each week, regardless of the weather, wind, and anthropomorphic elements cluttering the scene. I figure I better just run with what there is to capture. Here is an assortment which I hope you enjoy.

I reckon you weren't expecting this though! Perhaps Deere & Company would like this one for their advertising? Wishful thinking.

More tractors heading out from the Port of Galveston.

Wetlands proximal to our neighborhood (same area in previous blog: "blessed-rain...").

Same area as above but this time I was going for the "African Serengeti" feel (ignore the modern looking "huts").

Serengeti 'ish. (Smith Point, Galveston Bay).

The view from our back deck/porch - it seems it hasn't been calm for months. The glow on the clouds is a result of Texas City petrochemical plants - thankfully we are located upwind of this.

These lovely White Pelicans are only in the area while they overwinter.

White Pelican preening.

Nearby Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge (BNWR). This area was, until very recently, dry enough to run a tractor and plow through. However, the Houston area has received in excess of 11 inches of rain for the first 8 weeks or so of 2012.

BNWR again.

Endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtle in rehabilitation at Texas A&M University at Galveston's Sea Life Facility.

Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (same individual as above).

Cold and foggy morning at Texas A&M University at Galveston campus.

Definitely NOT the Serengeti. This is the same shrimp boat featured in a previous blog ("Texas City Dusk..."). I was limited on time and the clouds were starting to look wonderful so chose to re-shoot the trawler.

Simple but interesting to me.

Sunrise and an offshore rig in Galveston Ship Channel.

Atmospheric clouds - as opposed to the cloud of swarming mosquitos as the missus' and I tried to enjoy a cold beverage watching these clouds and the dusk.

I took this picture on Valentine's Day of two red-eared slider's "smooching" (please indulge my foray into anthropomorphism) - must be a real "toe-curler" of a kiss (check out the right-rear foot of the big one on the right).

Assorted images captured over Christmas

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

During the Christmas 2011 break I took several assorted pictures – separate from those posted in “A bloody cold shoot in the mountains” (see earlier post at https://2amphotography.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/a-bloody-cold-shoot-in-the-mountains/).

The old Dodge pickup truck was rather fascinating to see as it had a lot of “character.” These images are either near Knoxville or the Great Smoky Mountains.

"Frosted". Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. Handheld, f16 for 1/60 second at ISO 100.

"Barn". Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f11 for 1/80 second at ISO 100.

"Cattails". Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f11 for 1/30 second at ISO 100.

"Dodge Truck 1". Canon 7D with Tamron 70-300mm lens. f11 for 1/30 second at ISO 500.

"Dodge Truck 2". Canon 7D with Tamron 70-300mm lens. f5.6 for 1/80 second at ISO 500.

"Dodge Truck 3". Canon 7D with Tamron 70-300mm lens. f11 for 1/20 second at ISO 500.

"Dodge Truck 4". Canon 7D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f20 for 1/30 second at ISO 500.

"Dodge Truck 5". Canon 7D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f5.6 for 1/100 second at ISO 500.

"Pileated Woodpecker". Canon 7D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. Handheld f7.1 for 1/100 second at ISO 500.

A bloody cold shoot in the mountains!

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

It having snowed the evening beforehand, I travelled into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, for my first shoot of the new year, and my first ever snow-shoot. The thermometer read 18 F (-7.8 C); relative temperature (or “feels like”) was 6 F (-14 C). It definitely was brisk but a good learning experience shooting snow.

"Three shapes of water." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f8 for 1/13 second at ISO 100.

"Shape morphing." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f32 for 1.3 second at ISO 100.

"Ice balls and tites." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f8 for 1/30 second at ISO 100.

"Balls of Moss." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f20 for 1/3 second at ISO 100.

"Roaring Fork bridge." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f13 for 1/6 second at ISO 100.

"Feel it." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f22 for 1/2 second at ISO 100.

"Resilience." Canon 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f22 for 0.8 second at ISO 100.

"Globular." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f18 for 1/4 second at ISO 100.

"Slick bridge." Canon 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f11 for 1/80 second at ISO 640 (handheld).

Texas City Dusk – beauty in unusual places

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

My photography mentor, Wyman Meinzer, has encouraged me to see the beauty where I am. Here are some images from a quick evening shoot on the Texas City Dike.

"Trawler Tranquility". Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f22 for 30 seconds at ISO 100.

"Painted Trawler" - light painting. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f5 for 30 seconds at ISO 400.

"Shiny Refinery #1". Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f13 for 15 seconds at ISO 100.

"Shiny Refinery #2". Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f13 for 15 seconds at ISO 100.

"Shiny Refinery #3". Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f8 for 2 seconds at ISO 250.

"Texas City Twilight." Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 lens. f14 for 1.3 seconds at ISO 200.

"Shadow Paining." Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 lens. f6.3 for 30 seconds at ISO 200. This image is a light painting of the pilings and the refinery lights created these appealing shadows/patterns.

Fall Rotation – Thanksgiving 2011, Garner State Park, TX.

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Had a wonderful several days at Garner State Park, Texas, where we reflected in nature on the immense blessing in our lives. The season provided a splendid variety of light, a foggy morn’, color on the Cypress trees, a dazzlingly clear calm evening for a North Star and rotation shot, and all-around pleasing to the eyes experience. Highly recommend Garner State Park (especially November).

“Cypress Stars.”
Light painting: Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f4.5 for 72 seconds at ISO 2000.

“Reflecting on Thanksgiving.”
Light Panting: Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f4.5 for 208 seconds at ISO 400.

“Garner Rocks.”
Light Panting: Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f4.5 for 46 seconds at ISO 1000.

“Partial Pinwheel.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f4.5 for 1298 seconds at ISO 400.

“Foggy Fall Foliage.”
Canon EOS 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f/14 for 1/13 second at ISO 200.

“Foggy Frio #1.”
Canon EOS 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f/14 for 1/25 second at ISO 200.

“Foggy Frio #2.”
Canon EOS 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f/14 for 1/13 second at ISO 200.

“Foggy Frio #3.”
Canon EOS 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f/14 for 1/25 second at ISO 200.

“Foggy Frio #4.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f/10 for 1/30 second at ISO 100.

“Foggy Frio #5.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f/10 for 1/60 second at ISO 100.

“Foggy Frio #6.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f/10 for 1/50 second at ISO 100.

“Fall on the Frio.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f/11 for 1/50 second at ISO 100.

“Fall on the Frio #2.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f/11 for 1/30 second at ISO 100.

“Stormy mornin’.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f/11 for 1/8 second at ISO 250.

A wet and colorful weekend near Utopia (TX).

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Took a few days off work to go see some country. Decided to visit Garner State Park and Lost Maples State Natural Area in the Texas Hill Country Region, whereby I camped a wet, but enjoyable, two nights alongside the Frio River. A return trip there is anticipated. All but one of the following images are from Garner State Park (the remaining image is from Lost Maples State Natural Area).

Frio River 1 – Garner State Park. Canon 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

Frio River 2 – Garner State Park. Canon 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

Frio River 3 – Garner State Park. Canon 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

Lost Maples State Natural Area. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Frio River 4 – Garner State Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Frio River 5 – Garner State Park. Canon 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

Frio River 6 – Garner State Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Frio River 7 – Garner State Park. Canon 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

Frio River 8 – Garner State Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Cypress roots.
Frio River – Garner State Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

“Old Baldy” at night – Garner State Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

“Old Baldy” shrouded in fog as I left Garner State Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Pacific Dreaming

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

A very quick trip to Australia enabled some early morning shots (4:45 am for several of these). The location is on the upper NSW coast, late September, 2011.

"Sunrise and Norries Head." Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm lens and 1.4x teleconverter at ISO 800. 1/160 second at f/7.1.

"A Pacific Ocean dawn." Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 30 seconds at f/4.

"Pandanus, beach, and sunrise" over the Pacific. Canon 7D and Canon 10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 6 seconds at f/5.6.

"Boulders and waves 1." Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 1.3 seconds at f/14.

"Boulders and waves 2." Same boulders, different morning. Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 20 seconds at f/4.

"Boulders and waves 3." Norries Head, and Pacific dawn. Canon 7D with Canon S10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 1.6 seconds at f/4.

"A Pacific Ocean dawn 2." Canon 7D with Canon S10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 1/3 second at f/22.

"A Pacific Ocean dawn 3." Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 1/3 second at f/22.

"Beach cusps." Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm lens and 1.4 teleconverter at ISO 1000, handheld (it was rather windy on the headland). 1/500 second at f/9.

Blessed Rain: dusk from “Scenic Galveston” site, Galveston County

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Ah, finally some precipitation – only recorded 1/2″ but the light was phenomenal as a band of clouds and associated winds caressed the evening.

Rain over the salt-marsh. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 1000 (the wind was absolutely howling, very nearly blowing the tripod, and me, over).

Wind and clouds over spartina. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 1000 (again, the wind was making it very challenging to stand, let alone keep the camera steady).

Granite, grass, clouds, and color... a glorious evening. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 500 (a little respite from the breeze).

Vibrant hues over Bayou Vista. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 800

Serenity in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

A brief vacation in Tennessee enabled me time to go “shoot” and yielded some images from a quaint stream – well, it is named the “Roaring Fork” but was in a non-roaring flow when I explored it. Hope you find peace and solace through these sample images.

Dusk falls over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens at ISO 100.

“Reflections on a stream #1.” Canon 7D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens at ISO 100.

Fungi thriving in moist, cool, shaded environment. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

Moss, water, and quite ambience. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 400.

Mossy boulders and stream. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 400.

Cold water trickling and descending. Canon 7D and Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 250.

“Meandering among metamorphics #1.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

Cool, moist habitat and moss flourishes. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

“Metamorphic meanderings #1.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

“Tranquility above Dali.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

“Tranquility, sans Dali.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

“Reflections on a stream #2.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

“More metamorphic meanderings.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

“Flowers and falls.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 400.

A smattering of scenics (and other “pretty” things).

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Here are just a few images, primarily scenic, but also some other “pretty things”, from Australia, Belize, Kazakhstan, and the USA.

A few from Australia to start with.

Atherton Tablelands, QLD.

Melaleuca trees, QLD.

Atherton Tablelands, QLD.

Iluka, NSW.

The view from our hut (10.5′ x 10.5′) when we lived on an atoll, 30 miles offshore Belize.

Little Calabash Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Belize.

The color in this image on the Caspian Sea (Kazakhstan) is due to light interacting with dust particles blown off the surrounding desert – lots of nutrients for primary production in this sea.